S.A.F.E

As the number of reported sexual assault increases, the number of triage personnel is also on the rise. However, because of great variances in skills and experience amongst triage staff, the quality of medical examination, evidence collection, and medical forensic report is inconsistent.

Due to ambiguities in the medical forensic examination and physician testimony, the medical forensic report cannot be used as a credible evidence. If the process of the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination (SAFE) or the medical forensic report itself lack credibility or probative values, not only will the victim's legal rights be compromised, the offender may also go unpunished, thereby endangering the public.

It has been 10 years since SAFE has been in use; as such, its format and content need to be inspected by associated authorities to increase its relevance to Taiwan's judicial procedures and ensure credible presentation of injuries to mitigate hindrances in the litigation process.